On the evening of Saturday, September 10th, fashion had 8 new reasons to celebrate when Albright College returned to the runways of NYFW with its “8 Collections” Fashion Show. Albright College, a Liberal Arts based fashion design, merchandising and costume design program based on a historic campus in Reading, PA. For the second straight year, it sent collections from 6 recent graduates and 2 current students down the celebrated runways of NYFW.
Found in the 8 collections was a wide range of inspirations ranging from the opening collection “Déjà Vu” by Smithtown, NY designer Jennifer Raineri. Her was inspired by menswear styles during the Regency Period of history. The bow details at the necklines and button front detailing of many of the designer’s looks truly married the inspiration with the looks that walked the runway. Camille Fuller, presented a collection of naturally dyed ensembles under the title “Earth’s Confections”. It showed that vibrant, contemporary fashion can indeed be environmentally friendly. Philadelphia, PA’s Na’Yalaijah Fournillier, took a slightly different take on the message of environmentalism. With her collection of up-cycled denim silhouettes that pushed forward her theme of “renewal”.
Jennifer Raineri
Camille Fuller
Na’Elijah Fournillie
The keystone collection of the evening was presented by returning designer Liz Polley. She showed a collection inspired by the various places visited on her travels during the numerous relocations her career has required. Now hailing from King of Prussia, PA. Polley is not only returning to the runway for a second year. She debuted at Albright’s first showing in September of 2021. But she has just recently returned to her alma mater as a Professor in the Costume Design Department.
Liz Polley
Centreville, VA native Nicholas Kedge presented his take on gender fluidity with his collection, entitled “Pollan”. Edgy pieces that evoked feelings of 1980s runway looks while feeling wholly updated and now. Baltimore, MD was well represented by designer Olivia Connor who showed her elegant dressy sportswear collection named “Bittersweet”. Which, according to the designer “was a beautiful representation of the beauty that can emerge from the pain of loss.”
Nicholas Kedge
Olivia Connor
York, PA native, Jonathan Otero, presented an dressy sportswear/evening wear collection entitled “A Force of Colour”. It truly celebrated the vibrancy of color with every stitch.
Jonathan Otero
The show concluded in a powerful, dramatic fashion when Ligonier, PA native costume design major, Sarah Kim, presented her “Haunted Garden” collection. With Goth inspired evening-wear that walked to a truly ghostly version of Roy Orbison’s “Crying” in Spanish (“Llirando”) by Rebekkah Del Rio from the David Lynch’s “Mulholland Drive”.
Sarah Kim
In the audience was Influencer & author, Caroline Vazzana, herself a graduate of the Albright College fashion program, said “I’m so excited I could come out tonight & support my alma mater, Albright College, on their latest New York Fashion Week show! I always love supporting emerging designers & am so happy to be here for these eight designers! The collections were so beautiful, & you could just feel the energy & excitement from everyone in the crowd as the models made their way down the runway! Congratulations to Albright College & to all of the incredibly talented designers, I can’t wait to see what each does next!”